The 2006 Census digital boundaries facilitate the analysis and display of 2006 Census statistical data through their use in various software packages. Statistical data from other ABS collections, or from other sources, can be used in conjunction with these boundaries.

The 2006 Census boundaries align with the 2006 PSMA national topographic datasets. The data quality and spatial accuracy of these boundaries are closely linked to the digital base map upon which they were based. They do not necessarily align with any other digital base maps.

When using these boundaries, users should be aware that, as a result of limitations of scale and accuracy of the original base map, they are not exact in area and extent. They therefore should not be used for highly detailed spatial analysis involving attributes that are highly dependent on area and extent factors.

Statistical data for use in conjunction with the 2006 Census digital boundaries can be obtained from ABS Information Consultancy.

Use with alternative digital base maps: The 2006 Census boundaries may be used in conjunction with base map data other than the recommended PSMA base map, however, alignment of boundaries to these alternative base maps cannot be assumed. If the alternative base map is not derived from the same digitising source then the points defining each of the corresponding features is different and the boundaries will not align perfectly.

The original PSMA base map is spatially accurate to different tolerances in urban and rural areas. If an alternative base map has different spatial accuracy characteristics, then the boundaries cannot be expected to align.

The GDA94 datum used for both Census boundaries and the PSMA base map is compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS). However GPS satellite positions may be spatially less accurate than the boundaries in urban areas and more accurate than the boundaries in remote areas. Care should therefore be taken when combining features mapped by GPS with Census boundaries.

Copyright on boundaries: The copyright and intellectual property rights for the 2006 Census digital boundaries are retained solely by the Commonwealth of Australia and are administered by the ABS.